Originally recorded on 6 sound cassettes. Reformated in 2010 as 11 digital wav files. Duration is 6 hr., 43 min.

Access Note / Rights:

Patrons must use transcript.

Summary:

An interview of Alvin S. Romansky conducted 1979 September 17, by Sandra Curtis Levy, for the Archives of American Art.

Romansky speaks of his history as a painter, ceramist, and collector; the art scene in Houston as he knew it; his political and law activities; artists and collectors who were his friends and associates; the Contemporary Arts Association; his European experiences; his personal philosophies; and the future of museums. He recalls the Blaffer family, Alexander Calder, Nina Cullinan, and John and Dominique de Menil; William Hayter and Buck Schiwetz.

Citation:

Quotes and excerpts must be cited as follows: Oral history interview with Alvin S. Romansky, 1979 September 17. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Additional Forms:

Transcript: microfilm reel 3752 available for use through interlibrary loan.

Funding:

Funding for the digital preservation of this interview was provided by a grant from the Save America's Treasures Program of the National Park Service.

Biography Note:

Alvin S. Romansky (1907-1994) was a painter, ceramist, and collector of Houston, Tex.

Provenance:

These interviews are part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others. Microfilmed as part of the Archives of American Art's Texas project.